1998 Ford Contour SVT from North America - Comments

I currently haven't had anything fixed, but I have noticed a few problems. Everything is covered under a 100,000 mile extended warranty which was transferred to me from the previous owner.

There is a grinding when shifting into 3rd gear. My mechanic thinks the rings are damaged and the transmission will need to be replaced.

Power windows stop working periodically. Driver's side works fine and can control passenger's side fine. However the driver's controls for the rear windows will only power down, not up. Passenger side control only rolls up on the second push.

All settings except HIGH stopped working on A/C and Heater.

The damaged transmission I assume was due to poor driving before I received the car, the rest must be defects.

It's hard for me to believe that Ford can build a car like this. I liked my Ford Probe, but wasn't seriously impressed with it. I decided it was time for a change. I test drove several cars before this one, including a '98 BMW 328i, '99 Honda Accord, '98 Honda Prelude SH, and a '99 Volkswagen Jetta GLX VR6. The handling and performance of the Contour SVT blew them out of the water.

I reviewed several magazines which compared this car to others in its class of the same year. It was ranked in the top 3 in every single one of them.

This car has an excellent 0 - 60 and 60 - 0. I think, officially, it hits 0 - 60 in about 6.5 seconds.

It sticks to the road extremely well. I've taken curves on the highway where the recommended speeds are 40 or below, at over 80 without any screeching of the tires.

It has excellent pick up at any speed and in any gear. Traveling 80 MPH and then flooring it will pull you back into your seat.

I'm ashamed, but somewhat proud to say that I've had this car up to 140 MPH. The top speed is supposed to be 146, but at the rate I was going, I think it could have surpassed that.

I think it is a way under valued car. I bought my Contour SVT for 12,500 with 39,000 miles and a 100,000 mile extended warranty, which covers everything except oil changes. I'll admit, I got a steal because the Blue Book is around 13,000 - 16,000 for my year.

I'm majorly impressed with its performance for the money. I've taken it up against standard V6 Firebirds, Camaros and Mustangs. All are left in the dust. I'm not the kind of person that likes to street race, but I do think it is fun, blowing away suped up rice rockets, like Civics, Eclipses and Integras.

I guess the people are right when they say FORD stands for First On Race Day, or at least only in this case. I'll admit, I don't really like Fords. The Contour SVT is one of the only Fords I'd ever consider buying. I think you're right when you said it is way under priced, but you have to remember, it is a Ford and that is why it loses value so fast. Regular Contours are so prone to problems, they give the SVT a bad name. I think if you changed this cars name and manufacturer, but left the car exactly the same, it would be worth $24,000 used, rather than $12,000. The 200 HP engine seems to be somewhat quite a bit more powerful and faster than 99% of cars that are suppose to have just as powerful of engines. Ford made a made a mistake by discontinuing the Contour SVT. Now they have a Focus SVT...who would want to buy that?

I own an SVT and even though I have had some problems, it is a dream to drive. I always have a smile on my face when the rubber meets the pavement. Most of my friends drive souped up hondas and the like and all of them drool over the SVT when I bring it around, and yes the engine seems to be much stronger than 200 hp. It hugs corners takes off in any gear at any speed, and you are in total comfort in super snug bucket seats the whole time.

I have a 98 Ford contour SVT. It is junk. It shuts itself off while I am driving it at high speeds, when I sit at a light or turn corners. I have had it in the Ford shop repeatedly where they have sold me a bunch of unneeded service including, but not limited to replacing fuel injectors, blow out pipes and replace air filters. I spent a small fortune tying to get it to stop shutting off. I even wrote to Mr. Ford twice with no help. The mechanics at ford even had the audacity to say that I was a girl and didn't know how to shift. I have been driving standard shift for over 30 years. My sunroof will not open, the battery light and air bag lights come on and off at will and the check engine light comes on about 20 miles after resetting and stays always on. I am surprised that Ford ever sells anyone a second car.

I have owned a 1999 Ford SVT Contour since it was practically new. I purchased it from my brother with only 3400 miles on

the clock.

It is a fast, comfortable ride. And with only slightly more than 11000 built in total for the USA and Canada you will never see another one unless you are at a Ford dealer where

you may find one being serviced.

Despite the excellent design of the SVT Contour, the quality of the materials could be better. However, there is something special about an SVT Contour -- a unique quality

that gives one the satisfaction of owning a limited production car, without going broke in the process.

I have a very low mileage example, since it's never been used as a daily driver (only 23000 original miles as of

May 2006). I don't drive much so the SVT's mileage will stay low. While the SVT's a blast to drive, it does not rival the Honda Civic's that I have owned in the past in regard to reliabilty or quality control.

At 23000 miles the dash covering is peeling away from the

dash, the throttle hang is an intermittent problem, and

the AC has never worked right.

Aside from these caveats though, the SVT is one of the most fun cars I have ever driven. And I don't regret buying it for a second.

If you want a rare car that's fun to drive for under 10 grand, there is simply nothing else out there that comes

remotely close.

My name is Brian I decided to buy a 98 svt contour. It ran great when I bought it. at 119,000 miles on it the only problems I ve had are timing chain issues. needed new tensioner and guides wore out. other than that I race it in competition I have kept up with several brand new GTOs. I had a 1989 gt mustang and this car out handles it easily. I have put 17x9s slicks on front and rear and it handles great.

I had a 98 SVT, and you guys don't know how lucky you are to still own one. I miss my car so much I'd do anything to have it back. It was black. I had to sell it; kids come first. If you're ever in the Delpi In. area, look me up. I'd love to go for one last ride in the only car Ford ever made.

Matt Jenkins.

I bought a 98 Contour SVT and fixed it up. The car is a beast, I'm only 17 but I leave my friends in the dust. The car is fun and affordable, it's my dream and I'm never letting her go. I have street raced many times against foreign cars and only lost to a Toyota Supra.

Seriously impressed with this car, by the time I shifted into second gear I knew there was something special about this car. From the outside you wouldn't think it's a world class car. Sure its not perfect, but what car is.

You have enough grunt, point and go handling, and enough room to haul friends. The most impressive part are the intangibles, the way it makes you feel. This car is for the driving enthusiast.

The bit about only having "high" on the blower... that's (almost certainly) a bad blower resistor unit. It's just a printed circuit board, and it's a really simple fix (assuming it's accessible... I've done it on my Toyota and Nissan, but never a Ford).